Ballot, a two-time American champion handicap horse in the early part of the 20th century, was the guest of honor at what may have been the most lavish birthday party ever thrown for a Thoroughbred in North America. Thrown by Ballot's owner Raymond Gentry (who was using the old horse as living advertisement for a feed product called "Enza-Vita") and Keeneland publicity director Brownie Leach, the bash took place on January 1, 1937, and left most of the participants considerably worse for wear. The 33-year-old Ballot was one of the few to emerge unscathed, and he died quietly of old age not too long afterward.